DAVID Croft, the Poole-born scriptwriter and producer responsible for Dad's Army and Are You Being Served?, has died aged 89.

His agent Tim Hancock said he died at his holiday home in Portugal.

Among his other hit shows were ’Allo ’Allo, It Ain’t Half Hot Mum and Hi-De-Hi!

A statement from his family said: “He was a truly great man who will be missed by all who had the great fortune of knowing and loving him.

“We know that he would have been proud that you had all been watching.”

Mr Croft was born in Sandbanks in 1922 to actor parents.

He wrote scripts for pantomimes before working in television as a producer, director and writer.

Together with Jimmy Perry he wrote Dad’s Army, It Ain’t Half Hot Mum, Hi-De-Hi and You Rang, M’Lord?

He also worked with Jeremy Lloyd on shows including Are You Being Served?, ’Allo ’Allo and Grace and Favour.

Awarded the OBE in 1978, he is survived by his wife, children and grandchildren.